May 12, 2025 /SemiMedia/ — GlobalWafers is set to inaugurate its new 12-inch silicon wafer plant in Texas on May 15, marking the launch of the first high-volume production facility for 12-inch wafers in the United States. The plant is expected to begin contributing revenue in the second half of 2025.

Operated by GlobalWafers America (GWA) and MEMC LLC, the facility is part of the company’s global expansion strategy and aims to strengthen domestic semiconductor materials supply. The two U.S. subsidiaries have received approval for up to $406 million in direct funding under the CHIPS Act to support this project. Together, the Texas and Missouri facilities are expected to create over 2,000 jobs.

GlobalWafers highlighted that 12-inch silicon wafers are critical substrates for both leading-edge and mature-node semiconductor manufacturing, playing a key role in the foundry and IDM sectors. By localizing wafer production, the company aims to help close a long-standing gap in the U.S. semiconductor supply chain.

Currently, more than 80% of global 12-inch wafer production is concentrated among the top five suppliers—GlobalWafers among them. The new Texas fab is considered a strategic milestone in rebalancing the global wafer supply and boosting domestic chipmaking capacity in the U.S.